In order to understand the high-yield and high-efficiency cultivation of summer maize in Dongting Lake area, effects of seven cultivation patterns(high density, high nitrogen and chemical control, T1; high density, medium nitrogen and chemical control, T2; high density, low nitrogen and chemical control, T3; medium density, high nitrogen and chemical control, T4; medium density, medium nitrogen and chemical control, T5; medium density, low nitrogen and chemical control, T6; low density, high nitrogen and no chemical control, CK) on yield formation and nitrogen utilization of summer maize were comparatively studied under three planting densities, 60 000, 75 000, and 90 000 plant/hm2, and three nitrogen rates, 150, 225 and 300 kg/hm2, with Zhengdan 958 (V1) and Xiangnongyu No.27 (V2), which are suitable for mechanical harvesting, in Taoyuan county, Hunan province in 2019-2020. The results showed that: there was significant difference in yield of summer maize under different cultivation patterns. As for V1 cultivars, yield of T1 and T2 was higher in two years, and there was no significant difference between T1 and T2. As for V2 cultivars, yield of T2 was highest in 2019, while yield of T1 and T2 was higher. Leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and nitrogen accumulation of maize increased with the increment of nitrogen rate and planting density. The nitrogen uptake efficiency and nitrogen fertilizer efficiency of maize decreased with the increment of nitrogen application rate, and increased with the increment of planting density. In conclusion, the high density, medium nitrogen and chemical control pattern could ensure a substantial increase in yield and also obtain higher nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency, which could be applied in summer maize production in Dongting Lake area.